As the winter months approach, Lewiston families are putting on their sweaters, turning up their furnaces, and cozying up with a cup of hot cocoa. This is perhaps the most important time of the year for the home furnace, and a major priority is making sure it is working at top efficiency. So we have put together 6 simple tips that you can use this winter season to increase the efficiency of your furnace so you and your family can have a cozy and comfy holiday season.
1. Replace The Air Filter Regularly
It is necessary to clean and/or change your furnace’s air filter every 3 months to keep energy costs minimum. It is highly recommended to change out the air filter once every month during the winter months since you would be running the furnace throughout the day. To replace the air filter, all you have to do is pop out the old one and insert a new one which you can find in most home improvement stores.
2. Clean The Vents
It is a great idea to check every home vent for possible blockages by dust or other materials. Blocked or clogged vents can cause your furnace to work harder and use more power while providing inadequate heat. Clean the vents using a vacuum cleaner after switching off the furnace.
3. Clean The Furnace
You must have noticed a theme by now––cleaning! Yes, cleaning is one of the key best practices you need to adopt to maximize your furnace’s efficiency. To clean the furnace, remove its access panels and use your vacuum cleaner’s long nozzle to get rid of dust and debris. It is recommended to do this at least once a year.
4. Readjust The Thermostat
A great way to save money on heating is to turn down your thermostat for about 8 hours a day. We recommend setting the thermostat to 68°F during the day and reducing the temperature by 7 to 10°F for bedtime. This will allow you to save up to 10% on your yearly heating bill.
5. Schedule A Tune-Up
Your HVAC professionals are experienced at conducting several tests and checks and diagnosing issues with the furnace and providing the necessary repairs to fix these issues. Some of the procedures included in a furnace tune-up Lewiston ID are lubricating motor bearings, checking and adjusting fan belt tension, tightening electrical connections and wiring, inspecting the heat exchanger, testing the ignition, changing the air filter, cleaning the interior and exterior of the furnace, recalibrating the thermostat, testing the exhaust system and many more.
6. Get Regular Maintenance
There is nothing more important for the health of your furnace than getting regular maintenance work done on it. As with the tune-up, the HVAC expert will perform several checks and make the necessary fixes and repairs to ensure the furnace is in its best possible condition and working at maximum efficiency. It will also ensure your furnace will last for a long time. It is recommended to get maintenance done at least twice a year, once in the summer and during the winter.
If you would like to leave the furnace maintenance to expert hands who will meticulously go through every one of the above steps and more to ensure your furnace is working at the maximum possible efficiency, feel free to schedule a furnace maintenance Lewiston, ID with Unlimited Heating & Refrigeration. Simply give us a call by dialing (208) 596-7757.
